September 30, 1950 was the date when they exchanged their vows ... forever! And here they are, 48 years and counting.

"We go out a couple times a week, to the movies or dinner," says Mom in an exclusive interview on Tuesday evening. "So, we'll stay home and have our Poker Night with friends, as we like to do on Wednesday nights."

Memories are still fresh of their having just seen Ronin, with Robert DeNiro "a real shoot-em-up, lots of car crashes. That's the kind of movie we like," Mom says. "It was a great movie!"

Like Danny, who took 8 boys to the movies for his birthday this past weekend, Mom and Dad saw Rush Hour, with Jackie Chan. But, boy, did they have different impressions! Danny felt it was a roll-in-the-aisles comedy, Mom .... did not. I think the word "stupid" came up in the discussion, LOL.

Steve and Mal did manage to dash off a card on time, as they absconded from the country (see Belgium) to meet an October 1 report date. This reporter's card did not get out until September 28, with great regret for lateness, and was only meagerly covered up by an electronic greeting from Blue Mountain, containing the secret doorway to the online Family Album, as promised!

"You did better than I did!" exclaims Donna, who in her excitement of weathering Hurricane Georges did not get out for a card yet. She sounded sincerely regretful.

On August 4, 1998, Dad and Mom headed off to Cape Coral Hospital for cataract surgery for Dad. Doctor Ed felt it was time for this now, after Dad had endured increasingly blurry vision for the last several months. Dad wanted his eyes clear for driving ... and his beloved TV : )

Apparently, you can't do this too early, and the time was supposedly just right.

Well, they spent a few hours there, and then assembled in a meeting with the surgeon for instructions. Dad was given a patch to wear on his eyes at night only. He was given drops for his eyes to heal and soothe them. Then he asked, "How long before I can drive?" The surgeon answered, "You can drive home right now."

Dad drove himself and Mom home, followed the surgeon's instructions to the letter with the patch and the drops ... and reports that he felt absolutely no discomfort or side effects!

First news was last Saturday, when Jennifer and David had to evacuate Santa Rosa Island for the mainland! Of course, they went home to Donna's house.

"We didn't have to evacuate" from Fort Myers Beach, states Donna on September 29, in another exclusive interview.

She also says that she heard from friends who were bewildered that she didn't respond to them online during the storm. It was Jennifer using her screen name, so, not to be insulted! Jennifer was checking her own mail and had to get off quickly because of the threat from lightning.

"Our electricity went off and on several times," Donna reports, "but we were never without it for a long period," which is very good news. Also, no major damage to property -- "the backyard is flooded, but it gets flooded with 2 inches of rain!" she says, laughing.